The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1887-11-10

'he scnool-nouse with your cigarettes,
and smoking down here on a rock
where your Aunt Kate can't see Won.
and where the wind will blow the
smoke out of your clothes SO she can't
smell you.'
This time Gordon flushed angrily.
III you mean to insult me-" he began.
but Charlie turned with the laughing
light in his soft, brown eyes, and the
smile every one liked, and said:
'Come, Dick! you know / don't, and
know it's true, and you can't quarrel
with me, you know"
Gordon did know it all; therefore he
subsided rather helplessly into friendli-
ness, and Charlie prudently changed
the subject to one less dangerous.
"Rowed any to-dayP"
mo. / haven't; 1 felt one of nv con-
founded headaches coming on this
morning and gave it up. l wish 1
hadn't now.'
you've only q week more, you
know"
Il know it. and I need practice; 1
don't pull the oar-or throw the ball
either-that did awhile ago."
20, you did some good playing this
afternoon" replied Charlie, consol-
ingly. "You knocked Mr.. McGinnis
out capitally."
''Did Ip' Gordon frightened. "You
know I've got to win that race, Ham,"
"Of course, for the honor of the
school, for the happiness of your
friends, for the glory of your country,
but not to get the new boat which your
honored grandparent promised you.
q, no!''
30. no!' echoed Gordon, laughing.
''Wasn't it good of grandfather,
though? He knew, of course that
the embroidered flag would belong to
the club, and in case of my beating
that military academy fellow, he wants
me to have boat of my own."
80, you've got to winr' repeated
Charlie, dec;sively; "but that fellow,
Goodyear, is good oarsman."
THAT'S SO; and here l am out of
training all the fault of those con-
founded headaches. Come on; let's 60
down to the pier and get boat of
Babcock, and have a row now."
The day of the race arrived. At
three O'Clock the little pier, in gay
flutter of flags, was filed with lockers
on; groups sat in the gardens of the
cottages, and stood along the edge of
the grove, while boats, under bright
awnings, lay quietly on the water at
seeing distance. The lake was mile
in width; and the course was directly
across to the pier, from point op-
posite, marked by curious tree-a
tree which stood out against the sky
dark, slender, symmetrical cross. Near
by. its branches covered with foliage
scarcely suggested the form which
made its renown.
Goodyear. the champion of the Nil
itary Academy Club, was large and
heavy; his muscles CARRIED more fat than
would have suited trainer" but he
pulled a steady, powerful oar. Gordon,
taller and more slender, but strong and
well-knit, gave quicker stroke and a
sharper pull. But, of course, their
rowing was far from ''scientifc;;, and
the light boats they pushed out in, and
the braided suits they wore. would have
been thought extremely funny by an
Oxford or Harvard man. The race
was very much like other races, and
was closely contested. When one boat
shot little ahead OF the other, the
boys and girls got excited, and cheered
and waved their handkerchiefs. Good
year, contrary to his habit, did his best
work at the beginning, while Gordon,
contrary also to his, reserved his
strength. and on the last half rowed, as
the boys said, "like all possessed"
bringing his boat in two lengths ahead.
He was received with great acclama-
ton. Charlie jumped to the bow of
the boat from which he had been
watching the race alone, to wave his
hat, but in a few moments dropped to
the oars, and himself rowed ''like all
possessed" for the cheering suddenly
ceased, and he had seen group gath
cred by Gordon's boat, and something
heavy and helpless lifted out of it. At
the pier he learned that Gordon with
his last stroke had fallen backward in a
swoon. He had been taken to Judge
Morris's house (close by ON the lake
shore), and DR.. Goldsby had been sent
for
The group of excited takers grad
ually separated into twos and threes
and disappeared. leaving behind them
a strange stiffness under the blue sky,
deepened by the gentle. lonely wash of
the water on the shore and the song of
q distant bird.
In the evening Gordon was taken
home. The next morning, very early,
Charlie was at the door. He came away
with a slow step and dropping head.
''Say! s he any better in there-that
feller at got sick It the racer" called
small boy who was running by.
''Get out!'' said Charley, roughly.